Member, Board of Directors
Foundation for Louisiana
About Foundation for Louisiana
As a social justice philanthropic intermediary, the work of Foundation for Louisiana (FFL or the Foundation) unapologetically advances racial justice to move Louisiana forward. Since inception, FFL has invested $55 million in more than 250 mission-critical nonprofit organizations working across the state toward building a more just Louisiana.
Foundation for Louisiana was founded in 2005 as the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation to invest in the immediate recovery of Louisiana’s communities after Hurricane Katrina. While FFL was established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, its founders recognized the need to address the longstanding inequities that have shaped life outcomes for the most marginalized of Louisianans.
The Foundation’s programs grew over time in response to these needs. The Foundation now engages communities in both program co-design as well as grant-making to expand opportunities and move communities towards a more just future. Today, FFL focuses on racial justice, climate justice, criminal justice, equitable disaster recovery, and the ways in which communities that are Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, living with disabilities, lower income, and culture bearers support a thriving Louisiana.
For more information on FFL, please visit www.foundationforlouisiana.org.
The Opportunity
The Foundation seeks to add exceptional leaders to the Board of Directors who are deeply committed to the future of the organization and social, economic, and racial justice in Louisiana. This is an opportunity to shape the future of Louisiana and make bold, system-wide impacts statewide.
FFL is looking for a diversity of skillsets and backgrounds, complementing the current knowledge base and attributes of the Board.
The Board seeks individuals from across Louisiana who have a deep passion for FFL’s mission and strategic goals, including a genuine commitment to solving the biggest challenges facing Louisiana’s underserved and disenfranchised communities.
Specific responsibilities may include:
- Serve as Ambassadors & Spokespeople: Act as supporters and spokespeople to the larger community. Board Members speak in public on behalf of the organization and use their networks to support visibility and partnership development. As “chief volunteers,” Board Members work to further FFL’s mission.
- Determine Mission & Purpose: Help define, and refine as needed, the organization’s goals, funding, and programmatic priorities.
- Support & Evaluate the President and CEO: Provide moral and professional support to the President and CEO (CEO) to further the goals of the organization. Annually evaluate the CEO’s performance. Determine compensation and benefits for the CEO.
- Ensure Effective Planning: Actively participate in the continuous planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals.
- Monitor & Strengthen Programs & Services: Determine programmatic strategic alignment and monitor effectiveness.
- Ensure Adequate Financial Resources: As needed, help secure adequate resources for FFL to fulfill its mission.
- Protect Assets & Provide Proper Financial Oversight: Approve the annual budget and ensure that proper financial controls are in place.
- Build the Board: Articulate prerequisites for board candidates, recruit new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate board performance.
- Join a Committee: Be active with the Audit, Development, Finance and Investment, Governance, or Programs Committee.
- Ensure Legal & Ethical Integrity: Provide oversight for adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.
- Select the CEO: If/when required, redefine the CEO’s responsibilities and undertake a search to find the most qualified individual for the position.
Board Responsibilities
Connected by a collective passion for FFL’s mission, the Board of Directors governs the organization driven by a shared commitment to its long-term sustainability. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the Foundation’s charitable mission is carried out and that its assets are used for its philanthropic purposes. As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the Board is responsible for:
- Approving the mission and purpose of the organization.
- Hiring & assessing the performance of the CEO.
- Providing fiduciary oversight.
- Approving the strategic plan.
- Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Providing individual support, both in partnership with and under the direction of staff, as: advisors, ambassadors, fundraising partners, and volunteers.
Terms, Committees, and Time Commitment
- Board members are responsible to attend and fully engage in 4 meetings per year, with the understanding that select meetings may be in-person.
- Unless otherwise fixed by the Board of Directors, the annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be the last meeting of the Foundation’s fiscal year.
- Board members are expected to actively participate in two or more Board Committees.
- Board members are asked to establish FFL as one of their top three philanthropic priorities.
- Board Members typically spend approximately one hour per week on FFL activities.
Upcoming Board meetings include:
- Thursday, September 7, 2023
- Thursday, December 7, 2023
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Passion for the Mission
- Ensure the health of the Foundation overall and proactively seek out opportunities to make positive contributions to long-term success.
- Bring a strong passion for FFL’s mission and goals, including a passion for or lived experience within Louisiana’s underserved and disenfranchised communities.
- Have a commitment to support the organization annually by making FFL one of their top three philanthropic priorities.
- Be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values – someone who can be collegial and trusted without reservation.
Relationship Builder
- Establish strong and authentic connections with fellow Board members, Foundation staff, and other relevant constituents.
- Demonstrate interest in establishing and developing strategic external relationships that will benefit FFL, serving as an advocate, connector, and trusted advisor for the organization.
- Possess a natural inclination for engagement with the desire to identify and cultivate prospective relationships on behalf of FFL.
- Facilitate a powerful sense of shared purpose in others, influencing them to engage in FFL’s work.
- Value diversity of all kinds; contribute to a Board culture that fosters inclusion and belonging.
- Be emotionally intelligent and deeply comfortable connecting with people of different backgrounds, orientations, identities, and cultures.
Leadership & Governance
- Ask insightful questions, actively participate in discussions, and engage in committee work.
- Provide support and counsel to the CEO regarding advancement of FFL’s mission, operational and financial oversight, goal setting, fundraising, and outreach, among other areas.
- Constructively offer advice while also thoughtfully challenging the Board to think differently.
- Demonstrate strong diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for building consensus for solutions while respectfully challenging the perspective of others.
- Bring a teamwork mentality and ability to collaborate with other Board members.
- Have strong judgment, an open mind, and sound decision-making skills.
Candidate Background
Board Members could come from a variety of backgrounds including:
- Artistic, Creative, or Culture Bearer
- Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance, including Asset or Wealth Management
- Gender Justice & Advocacy
- Healthcare
- Higher Education
- Human & Social Services
All candidates should bring a commitment to the mission of FFL and social justice more broadly. FFL is interested in supplementing the diversity of the Board and is particularly interested in Board Members who are leaders of color and/or mid-career. In addition, leaders with prior Board experience are welcome.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Chartise Clark of Koya Partners is leading this search. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to our Talent Profile.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/koya-partners/.